{UAH} PHOTOS: Besigye Crowds Shake Up Kampala
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PHOTOS: Besigye Crowds Shake Up Kampala
Besigye waving at crowds along Jinja highway
FDC 2016 presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye has caused a stir in Kampala, pulling thousands of supporters to escort him to and from Mandela National Stadium where he was nominated on Wednesday.
The entire journey (to and from) is about 12 kilometres. Most of the fans and bodyguards walked this distance.
Dr Besigye was nominated at around 11:00am by the Electoral Commission chairman Eng Badru Kiggundu.
He addressed a brief press conference before being handed an official security car and bodyguards.
Besigye would later join thousands of his fans waiting from outside the stadium which was under heavy security.
Many were seen peeping from the window to have a glimpse of Besigye
Besigye's fans overwhelmed security
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Women escorting Besigye from Namboole to Nakivubo
There were reports that he would be blocked at Kireka and his followers redirected to Kinawataka road.
There was heavy presence of police and military police at Kireka but Besigye's fans overwhelmed the security forces.
Any attempt to compel his supporters to divert from the highway would have possibly sparked off a violent resistance.
Police maintained security of shops in the towns where Besigye's crowds passed to avoid acts of theft or destruction of property.
At Spear Motors junction in Nakawa, Besigye's supporters found heavily armed security forces which did not interrupt his movement.
Crowds accompanying Besigye to Nakivubo
Road to Nakivubo
Dripping sweat, the knackered and hungry fans pushed further through Nakawa town up to the Jinja road junction at the Electoral Commission headquarters.
Moses Mukiibi, a 27-year-old trader in Kireka said he chose to close his shop to show solidarity with Besigye as he prepares for the 2016 election.
"This is our president. Who am I to work when our president is being nominated?" he asked.
Lukwago was also part of Besigye's convoy
There was drama when Besigye was given a gift of a sofa set chair by a supporter. Besigye's face beamed with joy as he enjoyed the chair's comfort.
In Kampala town, curious civil servants and traders were seen peeping through their windows to take a glimpse of Dr Besigye and his supporters.
A jolly Besigye kept on waving at his fans. A journey that would normally take less an hour lasted over four hours.
Observers say this is the first time Besigye is pulling such mammoth crowds in almost a decade.
It is possible Besigye's supporters could have decided to prove a point to Hon Amama Mbabazi whose camp members attacked the FDC flag-bearer at a rally in Kampala yesterday.
Some said Besigye has lost thrice to President Museveni and opposition support should be switched to Mbabazi.
Besigye finally arrived at Nakivubo Stadium at around 4:00pm. He was welcomed by top officials who included Hon Nandala Mafabi.
At the same venue is the former spymaster Gen David Sejusa. Speeches are now underway at the stadium.
Additional reporting by Nixon Segawa
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